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Christopher Star of emerging tech organization OpenVerse, is urging the formation of an innovation-focused advocacy group to address gaps in policymaking around emerging technologies, including crypto, in the Philippines. This is in response to calls for the formation of a crypto rights party list in the country.
Calls for Creation of Innovation Advocacy Group
In a Facebook post, Star emphasized that key national decisions on areas such as artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and digital taxation are often made without input from the country’s innovators. He said that a dedicated advocacy group, distinct from political party lists, could provide the sustained, nonpartisan engagement needed to influence legislation and drive long-term tech reforms.
“A party list, while well-intentioned, forces innovation into a partisan box. It limits engagement to electoral wins and committee hearings, when what we need is continuous pressure, collaboration, and movement-building. An advocacy group can build coalitions, shape public will, provide research, and push for reforms regardless of the political climate. It can work across administrations and industries, creating continuity where politics often fails.”
Christopher Star, Founder, OpenVerse
The proposed group would advocate for policies such as responsible AI governance, smart crypto regulation, fair digital tax systems, stronger startup incentives, and positioning the Philippines as a technology sandbox.
Accordingly, Star said the initiative is currently seeking experienced lawyers, public relations professionals, policy strategists, and innovation leaders from both public and private sectors.
Unlike political groups, Star sees the advocacy group working with different sectors and governments to unite stakeholders, guide public opinion, and support policymaking with research.
“Critical decisions about our future are being made without the input of innovators. We need a seat at the table. We need to shape national agendas, influence legislation, and unlock resources.”
Christopher Star, Founder, OpenVerse
Another Initiative: Crypto Rights Party List
Recently, Filipino crypto educator Arlone Paul Abello, known as Coach Miranda Miner, is rallying the local web3 community to support the formation of the Philippines’ first “Crypto Rights” Party List. The initiative aims to give the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector a voice in Congress by advocating for crypto rights, innovation, and clear digital asset regulations.
Through a Facebook callout and an online sign-up form, Abello invited registered voters to join the movement.
Star on Crypto-focused Party List
In Star’s shared post of the BitPinas news on the “Crypto Rights” Party List, he criticized the proposed initiative calling it a “ludicrous idea” that misunderstands both the purpose of rights and the structure of the Philippine political system.
Star argued that rights are meant to protect people, not technologies, platforms, or profit models. He added that “crypto is a tool, not a class of citizens, marginalized group, or oppressed sector”.
He also pointed out the inefficiencies of the party-list approach, noting that the next national elections are still three years away and that passing legislation requires approval from both chambers of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate. He added that such process is “slow, uncertain, and political by nature.”
“If the goal is to protect consumers and promote the ethical use of crypto, it demands the active participation of multiple sectors: industry leaders, regulators, technologists, and educators.
To say I’m against this idea is an understatement. The existence of a “Crypto Rights” party list could actively harm the credibility of the crypto space, feeding public skepticism and confusion.”Christopher Star, Founder, OpenVerse
Star stressed the need for a more informed, collaborative approach to advance crypto in the Philippines.
By the Definition: What is an Advocacy Group, a PartyList
Advocacy Group
An advocacy group is a collective of individuals or organizations, not elected officials, that work together to influence public policy, raise awareness, and promote specific causes or reforms.
These groups operate independently of political parties and focus on long-term goals through research, education, lobbying, coalition-building, and public engagement. Their mission is often centered on creating social, economic, or political change across different sectors.
In simpler terms, advocacy groups push for change outside the electoral system through campaigns, research, and lobbying.
Examples include:
- IBON Foundation – fights for economic and social justice
- Alyansa Tigil Mina – campaigns against harmful mining
- PBEd – supports better education policies
Party List
A party list is a political organization or group officially registered to participate in elections, particularly under the party-list system used in the Philippines.
It aims to gain seats in Congress to represent specific sectors, such as labor, youth, women, or marginalized communities. Party lists campaign during elections and must meet certain requirements to win representation, including securing at least 2% of the national vote under the current electoral system.
Basically, party lists run for office to represent sectors inside the legislative system through the House of Representatives.
Examples include:
- Gabriela Women’s Party – represents women’s rights
- ACT Teachers Party List – speaks for teachers
- Kabataan Party List – focuses on youth issues
This article is published on BitPinas: Christopher Star Pushes Back on Crypto Party List, Calls for Innovation Advocacy Group
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